title: Abdominal catastrophes in the intensive care unit setting.
abstract: Patients in the setting of the intensive care unit can develop intra-abdominal complications that may worsen outcome. Clinical suspicion of such complications coupled with early diagnosis and treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these processes. This article addresses the diagnosis and management of some of the common causes of intra-abdominal catastrophes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street 16CC-044, Toronto, Ontario M5B1W8, Canada.
authors.forename: Joao B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Rezende-Neto
authors.forename: Ori D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Rotstein
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D017091:Colitis, Ischemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D016638:Critical Illness; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D059325:Intra-Abdominal Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Abdominal compartment syndrome; Clostridium difficile colitis; Intra-abdominal infection; Surgical emergencies